U.S. Navy sets course for a new fleet of nuclear missile subs

Defense Officials have been calling on lawmakers to fund upgrades to America’s nuclear deterrent infrastructure, or nuclear triad, for years now. The triad, which is made up of airborne, ballistic missile, and submarine based launch platforms is intended to ensure no first strike could neuter America’s nuclear response, ensuring the mutual portion of the classic strategy of mutually assured destruction.

Last month, the U.S. Air Force announced the awarding of two “technology maturation and risk reduction” contracts for America’s Ground Based Strategic Deterrent ICBM weapon system program, which will task Boeing and Northrop Grumman with developing a new long-range ballistic missile platform to replace the aging working horse Minuteman III, and now the U.S. Navy is following suit. This week, the Navy announced that it will be awarding a massive $5 billion contract to General Dynamics’ Electric Boat out of Connecticut to complete the design of what promises to be America’s next generation of nuclear submarines.

About the Author

Alex Hollings served as an active duty Marine for six and a half years before being medically retired from service. As an athlete, Hollings has raced exotic cars, played Marine Corps football and college rugby, fought in cages, and even wrestled alligators. As a scholar, he has earned a master’s degree in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University, as well as undergraduate degrees in Corporate and Organizational Communications and Business Management.